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What Do You Know About Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a term that refers to temporary or permanent damage to the peripheral nerves—the nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This damage is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Find out more about peripheral neuropathy by taking this quiz.

1. Peripheral neuropathy can lead to numbness and sometimes pain and weakness in the arms and legs.

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The symptoms depend on which nerves are affected. The nerves might control muscles or your sense of touch, or control your internal organs (autonomic). Problems with sensation can occur in hands, arms, legs, and feet. Damage to nerves that control the function of organs can cause health problems involving the digestive tract, heart and circulatory system, and sex organs.

A. TrueB. False

2. The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk for neuropathy.

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More than half of the people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says. People who have had diabetes for at least 25 years have the highest rates of nerve damage. Neuropathies are also more common in people who cannot keep their blood sugar under control. They are also more common in people with high blood pressure or who are obese.

A. TrueB. False

3. Researchers have linked diabetic nerve damage to a combination of factors. These include high blood pressure and high levels of fat in the blood.

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Researchers aren't sure exactly how the damage occurs. But they think that over time, this combination damages the nerves. They also suspect that the nerves may be damaged by an autoimmune response triggered by diabetes. They also suspect that smoking or alcohol abuse contributes to the problem.

A. TrueB. False

4. Some people with peripheral neuropathy can have no symptoms.

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The symptoms of neuropathy depend on which nerves are affected and the type of nerves affected. According to the NIDDK, some people may have no symptoms. Others have mild to severe numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet or hands. Other people have symptoms such as indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, urination problems, and erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness.

A. TrueB. False

5. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are often worse in the morning.

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Symptoms are often worse at night. Peripheral neuropathy affects the peripheries of the body. These are the toes, feet, legs, hands, and arms, the NIDDK says. Symptoms include:

Numbness to pain or temperature in those areas

A tingling, burning, or prickling feeling

Sharp pain or cramps

Extreme sensitivity to touch

Problems with balance and coordination

A. TrueB. False

6. Treatment for neuropathy focuses on surgery.

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Treatment focuses on controlling blood sugar. Bringing blood sugar under control helps prevent further nerve damage. This may be accomplished by better meal planning, exercise, medicine, and monitoring blood sugar and A1c levels. Symptoms may worsen at first, but then ease as normal blood sugar levels are maintained, the NIDDK says. If pain is a problem, your healthcare provider also may prescribe a pain reliever or other medicines that treat pain. Your provider can also help with problems related to digestion, urinary and sexual functions, and dizziness.

Pay special attention to areas of your body affected by neuropathy. If your feet and legs are affected, you should check those areas every day for wounds or sores or other problems. Call your healthcare provider if you develop an open sore or have any injury to your arm, legs, fingers, or toes.